Christmas shows, pantomimes and fun for all the family in West Yorkshire

There's nothing more traditional than a panto at Christmas.

But the festive season in Huddersfield and West Yorkshire has much more to offer families in search of entertainment.

Our guide to 10 of the region’s top shows or events suitable for all the family takes in professional and
amateur panto as well as beautiful ballet and magical music.

They are featured in date order.

1: The Lawrence Batley Theatre’s very own Christmas show, Snow White , has a modern Yorkshire setting but is based on the old familiar fairy story. It has been written especially for the theatre by Natasha Holmes from the Tell Tale Hearts theatre company and features special effects by physical theatre company Pif Paf. There’s shadow puppetry, magical illusions and costumes created by Huddersfield University costume student Jessica Bull. Tickets are £10 to £15 from www.thelbt.org or 01484 430528. From tonight until Sunday, December 27.

2: Cinderella is the professional panto at The Victoria Theatre in Halifax this season. Perhaps one of the best-loved shows of its genre, it promises a lavish grand ball, knock-about comedy and an appearance by Huddersfield actress Ann Micklethwaite as the fairy godmother. Tickets are from £10.45 to £17.95 from www.victoriatheatre.co.uk or 01422 351158. From tomorrow until Sunday, January 3.

3: Billy Pearce and Lisa Riley star in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. This show has 3D special effects but offers a specially-adapted ‘relaxed performance’ on January 12 for those with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, learning disability or sensory and communication disorders. Tickets are from £14.50 to £38 from www.bradford-theatres.co.uk or 01274 432000. From tomorrow until Sunday, January 24.

4: Puppetry brings to life the tale of Puss in Boots at Barnsley Civic Theatre with a performance by Patrick Lynch from Cbeebies. There’s a working windmill on stage and a cute kitty puppet. Cheaper than a panto and less scary for the very young. Tickets are from £6 to £10 from www.barnsleycivic.co.uk or 01226 327000. From Monday, December 21, until Thursday, Christmas Eve.

5: The Nutcracker is often the first ballet children are taken to see and appeals even to those who don’t normally appreciate the genre. A perennial Christmas favourite, it has a magical story, glittering costumes and toys that come to life. It’s on in the West End at the
moment , but see it closer to home at Leeds Grand courtesy of the award-winning Northern Ballet company. It has stunning Regency style sets and beautiful costuming. Tickets, from £10 to £47.50, are available from northernballet.com/nutcracker or 0844 848 2700. It opens on December 16 and runs until January 2.

6: Straight from a successful run in the West End, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang comes to the West Yorkshire Playhouse for Christmas. Offering fabulous stage sets and all the well-known songs, the show is suitable for ages five plus. There will be a special relaxed performance on January 12 and a dementia-friendly performance on January 19. The Christmas show can be seen from now until January 30. Tickets are from £13 to £40 from www.wyp.org.uk or 0113 2137700.

7: Take older children to see Charles Dickens’ great great grandson Gerald in action performing 26 different characters from his famous ancestor’s festive book A Christmas Carol. The show at the Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, Halifax, brings the story to life in a completely new way. Tickets are £12 and £14 from www.squarechapel.co.uk or 01422 349422. The performance is at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 19.

8: Something quite different is on offer for Christmas week at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park , Bretton - the chance to enjoy a day in the great outdoors. Performer Natalie Bellingham is telling stories relating to the sculptures and encouraging children to create their own. Suitable for ages five and over, tickets are £5 and should be booked online at ysp.co.uk/events. Sculptural Stories is from 11am and then again at 1.30pm on Sunday, December 20.

9: Start the New Year with a family concert by the Orchestra of Square Chapel featuring popular Viennese waltzes, polkas and marches by members of the prolific Strauss family and their contemporaries. This upbeat recital on January 3, starts at 3pm. Book tickets at www.squarechapel.co.uk or 01422 349422.

10: Looking ahead to the dreary post-Christmas days of January, there’s a reviving treat in store from Huddersfield Light Opera Company with its annual panto - this year Sleeping Beauty. More about the show in next week’s What’s On supplement. Bookings are now being taken at www.thelbt.org or from 01484 430528. The panto starts on Saturday, January 9, and runs until Friday, January 15.